Indications For Suctioning
Artificial airways can interfere with effective coughing and secretion removal. Therefore, periodic suctioning is indicated. Indications for suctioning include:
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• Secretions in the trach • Suspected aspiration of gastric or upper airway secretions • Auscultation of adventitious lung sounds over the trachea or main stem bronchi or both • Increase in peak airway pressures when on ventilator • Increase in respirations or sustained cough or both • Gradual or sudden decrease in ABG • Sudden onset of respiratory distress when airway patency is questioned |
Suctioning of airways should be done in response to a clinical indication and not on a routine basis. See Nursing Practice policy 1001 for hospital procedure. Remember these points of emphasis:
• Suctioning a patient is a Sterile procedure
• Always preoxygenate patient
• Apply suction for no more then 10 seconds
• Suction is only applied when withdrawing the catheter out of
trachea… never on insertion of catheter
• Repeat procedure no more then 2 additional times
